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Some people are happy with their mechs, maybe I'm way too cautious, but the guy who works on my car (also a member of our local BM club and good bloke) is a certified BMW Master Tech at a BMW dealer. I dont let anyone else touch it. Sure, the labour rates are high, but I make up for it by buying all parts beforehand from OS...
Remember, you have a performance vehicle, that for a naturally aspirated engine had one of the highest HP output for a production car ever. Treat it as such...

I was just told today that the tranny oil doesnt need changing as it's long life oil... Hmmm, the mechanic i spoke to at my mates workshop said not to change the SMG oil.

He also told me not to change the Vanos filter as that's something that is more for E36's. And he said the Valves don't need adjustment.

Can someone help?

He's right insofar as you don't HAVE TO change it, you don't have to do interim services either, but it helps maintain your asset as best as possible. So I would be thanking him for his input, but insisting he do what he's told.

He's right insofar as you don't HAVE TO change it, you don't have to do interim services either, but it helps maintain your asset as best as possible. So I would be thanking him for his input, but insisting he do what he's told.

I'd be taking it to someone else who can appreciate that you want extra maintenance performed. I reckon they'd be much more likely to take care of it.

As for vanos filters that's a bit worrying that he doesn't think they need doing based on what I've read.

Parts are fsck all, its the labour component that makes it an expensive exercise. Lots of poontangers in the US do it themselves... But it just seems like something you shouldn't attempt unless you know you can finish it.